Available Senior Spotlight: Xzavier Long
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We can go on and on with reasons that players in the 2021 class got cheated in their chance to earn scholarships to play in college next season. They lost out on most of an AAU season this summer and…
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Continue ReadingWe can go on and on with reasons that players in the 2021 class got cheated in their chance to earn scholarships to play in college next season. They lost out on most of an AAU season this summer and the traditional high school season as well, division one coaches still haven’t been permitted to go out and watch prospects in person since the coronavirus pandemic started and to top things off, the NCAA granted all players an extra year of eligibility and waived the one year waiting period for players who decide to transfer, meaning most schools will return their already seasoned players or go looking for replacements in the transfer wire.
Because of all of this, we are left with a crop of prospects going into March that are as talented as any year that we’ve had, and we will take a look at some of them in our new series “Available Senior Spotlight.”
Virginia Academy senior forward Xzavier Long Xzavier Long 6'6" | PF VA Academy | 2021 State VA is a guy who is rated as our #15 prospect in the state, and is one of seven prospects in the top 15 that are unsigned. Last year at Middleburg, he was part of a talented group but was over shined by the prolific scoring backcourt of Jaden House Jaden House 6'4" | SG Middleburg | 2021 #246 Nation VA (High Point) and Isiah Folkes (Charlotte), but that’s fine because he’s the type of player who doesn’t need to be the go-to scorer as he can make a big impact on the game in pretty much any way you can think of.
However, this season he transferred to Virginia Academy as Middleburg announced they won’t have a season this year, and he’s had to step into the senior leader and go-to role with a number of talented but young players alongside him. The 6’7” forward is a highly unselfish player and a great playmaker for his size, but he realizes he needs to be the top dog on his team this year for them to be successful.
“”I just have to be more dominant on both ends, which is something I’ve always felt like I can do,” Long said. “I’m averaging like 19 [points] and 8 [rebounds], while also guarding the toughest matchup on the opponent’s side. I’d say I have stepped up to the challenge.”
The versatility at his size is one thing that makes Long so intriguing at the next level. He’s got a big frame and is very strong for his size so he can play in the paint and post up smaller guys, but he’s also quick laterally on the perimeter and can handle, make plays for others and make shots from deep. It’s one of the reasons he believes coaches should consider him at the next level.
“I can guard every position on the floor defensively, I hustle on every play, I play basketball the right way and make the right plays and honestly I just want to learn and get better” Long said.
VA Academy has had to play a different schedule than normal, as they’ve played other private schools both in the state of VA and in the DC/Maryland area, and they’ve also found ways to play in club events such as the CBG Winter Series. It’s been frustrating at times, but Long says it’s been going very well for them and he knows how lucky he is to have an opportunity to play at all this season.
“This season is going solid, we’re still learning to close games as a team but it’s coming along,” he said. “Honestly, I’d say it has made me work harder knowing that a lot of people don’t have gyms to work out and play in.”
Long holds an offer from Mount St. Mary’s that he picked up his sophomore season, but the new rules have made it difficult for him to know if he’s going to have any more opportunities beyond it. He says he’s been in contact with a good amount of programs at multiple levels including Wagner, Southern Utah, Norfolk State, Southeastern Louisiana, Bryant, IUPUI, Lander and a host of D2 and JUCO schools. He says he’s open to the possibility of the JUCO or prep route, and is just looking for an opportunity to continue to play.
If a team is looking for a best available kind of guy that they can plug into different systems or roles. Long seems like the logical choice. He has the size, the IQ and the skill set to contribute immediately and will continue to get better with time as well with his work ethic.